Two new clubs clash in PLB Semifinals: Altitude, Progresso

Photo Credit: PLB

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Altitude and Progresso, two of the Premier League of Belize’s newest clubs clash in the semifinals on Sunday. The other two semifinalists have been around longer. Verdes, the oldest PLB team, was founded in 1976, long before the PLB, while the San Pedro Pirates joined then PLB in 2017, though San Pedro have had other teams under different names at the top level for quite a while now.

“A couple years ago, we made semi finals as a new club in the Premier League, and it was a wonderful feeling! Today, Progresso FC advances to the Semi Finals and we’ll be going head to head against them next week!” said Altitude in a social media post.

Altitude joined the PLB for the 2018-19 season as the Altitude Assassins while Progresso just joined the PLB for the 2022-23 season.

“We’d like to say a huge Congratulations to Progresso FC! The Novelo Brothers & Coach Charlie Slusher are doing a great job and it’s great to see representation from the North again! Keep Up The Great Work Progresso!”

That’s recognition from the PLB leaders, Altitude, to their opponents. And that’s good sportsmanship. Of course, on the field they will be rivals and Altitude, as league leaders, go in as favourites. But as their last encounter shows, Progresso have improved a lot during the season. Altitude, however, have been doing the same thing. During this championship, they relegated undefeated 2021-22 champions Verdes to second place during the regular season and that is no easy feat.

But while. Altitude topped the standings and Progresso didn’t qualify until the final regular season game, the semifinals look rather even.

Altitude won 2-1 in their first encounter at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence on Saturday, September 3 on goals by Colombian Andres Orozco in the 10^th and 48^th minutes. Marlon Gutierrez countered for Progresso in the 20^th.

On the return, in Orange Walk on Sunday, October 23, both played to a scoreless deadlock.

The question is: how close will it be on Sunday?

Game time is 3:30 pm.

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